ESL expands in Southeast Asia and more tournaments soon

After the huge success of ESL One Manila 2016 and ESL One Genting this year, the famous esports tournaments organizer is starting to see the big potential of the region especially in Dota 2. This led the company to open a new office in Singapore as a foothold for upcoming ventures.

ESL will be looking to bring two more ESL One Dota 2 events in 2018 to SEA, as part of the company’s plans for that region aiming to build a big Esports community, confirmed ESL CEO Ralf Reichert.

“ESL is and always will be about building esports: for the athletes, the fans and the aspiring players,” Reichert said. “Our new regional office will set us up to bring even more global events and tournaments to the region, but more importantly: to help build the local esports communities through grassroots and local championships, which are fundamental to the growth of esports anywhere in the world.”

ESL’s first major tournament in the SEA region, ESL One Manila 2016, was one of the most notable events of Dota 2 history. OG became the first Dota 2 team to win two Valve-sponsored events, following their surprise-victory at the Frankfurt Major. The $250,000 tournament was the largest esports event in the region at the time.

Southeast Asia boasts the fastest growing esports audience worldwide, according to a Newzoo report from Dec. 2016. The total esports audience in the region reached 19.9 million in 2016 and is set to exceed 40 million in 2019.